Leclerc admits to ‘pride’ amid the pain in Monaco pole miss

Charles Leclerc’s dream of a Monaco Grand Prix pole slipped away abruptly when McLaren’s Lando Norris delivered a stunning late lap in Q3 to steal the local hero’s spotlight.

Ferrari had roared back to form in the Principality, with Leclerc topping all practice sessions and holding provisional pole after Q3’s second runs.

But Norris’ track-record 1m09.954s, set on his third flyer, edged Leclerc by a mere 0.109s, leaving the Monegasque driver basking in his disappointment.

Despite the Italian outfit’s to compete for wins in 2025, Monaco offered a rare chance for Leclerc to shine at home, making the loss sting deeper.

Heartbreak in Hometown Glory

Speaking post-qualifying, Leclerc’s frustration was palpable, yet his pride in Ferrari’s resurgence shone through, setting the stage for a challenging but hopeful race day.

But ultimately, the glorious near-miss was hard to swallow for Monaco’s favourite son.

“There's always something more to be done. But, at the end of the day, this was the best we could do. I think the lap was really good,” he said.

Leclerc reckons that traffic in sector two during his first Q3 lap had disrupted his rhythm, costing him confidence.

“The first lap was a little bit of a shame because when you have a first good lap that gives you a bit more confidence for the second round. I couldn't have that,” he explained. “I had sector two traffic, but it’s the way it is.”

The setback was particularly galling given Ferrari’s pace.

“Just obviously very frustrated. We know that we don’t quite have the car to go for wins this year. But this weekend, the car felt good. And starting second here is going to be tricky to then take that first place,” he acknowledged.

Pride Amid the Pain

Leclerc’s affinity for his home circuit, where he grew up navigating its iconic corners, has long been a strength, and he leaned into his aggressive style to maximize Ferrari’s potential.

When asked why he excels in Monaco, he said: “I don't know. I like city tracks in general. I like to really go all in into qualifying and take maximum risks.

“And I think this most of the time pays off. Sometimes it doesn't pay off.”

• Read also: All-out Norris pips Leclerc to thrilling Monaco GP pole

His all-or-nothing approach nearly secured pole, but Norris’ late surge proved decisive. Despite the setback, Leclerc found solace in Ferrari’s unexpected competitiveness.

“I'm proud, anyway, of the result we've had today, as on paper it was going to be a very difficult weekend for us. At the end of the day, it's not that bad,” he reflected.

Ferrari’s strong showing this weekend, with teammate Lewis Hamilton in fourth, may signal a turning point, but starting second in Monaco’s narrow confines poses a strategic challenge.

With a mandatory two pit-stop rule adding complexity to Sunday’s race, Leclerc’s focus shifts to capitalizing on Ferrari’s pace to reclaim glory in front of his home crowd.

His resilience and pride, tempered by frustration, set the stage for a dramatic Grand Prix where every move will count.

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